Switzerland stars slams ‘one-sided’ ref versus Argentina with England fans already fearing semi-final will be ‘rigged’
SWITZERLAND players are the latest to hit out at a World Cup ref after being beaten by Argentina – fuelling conspiracy theories that Lionel Messi’s side are still getting preferential treatment.
The 2022 winners are through to the semis after a 3-1 win in extra-time – but it wasn’t without controversy yet again as they now prepare to face England on Wednesday.
Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off with 20 minutes left of the quarter-final after he was shown a second yellow card for diving.
VAR checked the incident when Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes had been booked for fouling Embolo with the scores level.
And with new power to overturn decisions made through mistaken identity, Embolo was punished for going down without contact.
Had the ref not booked Paredes then VAR would not have been able to recommend an on-field review.
And it was Paredes who Embolo fouled for his first-half card as well.
Portuguese ref Joao Pinheiro showed Embolo another yellow following the dive and dismissed him to the horror of the Swiss players.
They surrounded Pinheiro and protested angrily but could not change his mind.
The game went to extra-time and Argentina eventually found a winner thanks to Julian Alvarez’s stunning long-range strike.
The debate around officials has left supporters fearing for the England vs Argentina semi – with many fans claiming the tournament has been “rigged” to help the reigning champions.
One wrote online: “England will destroy them unless the referee helps Argentina again, they have been playing so bad in this World Cup against small teams and even needing the referee’s help to win, I just don’t see how they can beat England without the referees.”
Another said: “England have to be so careful on Wednesday. The referees are going to do everything they can to get Argentina to the final. They’ve been doing it the entire World Cup, they’re not going to stop now.”
A third commented: “Let’s see what FIFA and the referees, who have favored Argentina so far, will do against England.”
They are not the only people to express that the tournament has been set up for Argentina, who now play England in the final four.
Three Lions fans are worried that they will be playing more than just 11 players in that game.
Some pointed out inconsistency with Djed Spence being denied a pen in extra-time against Norway compared to Nicolas Tagliafico getting one for Argentina in the Egypt clash from the same position.
And even the ref’s use of new mistaken identity laws have caused debate with questions over if VAR should have been able to intervene.
The BBC’s rules chief, Dale Johnson, explains that something was not right: “Mistaken identity is a factual offence which does not involve the use of the monitor.
“Changing a yellow card to a dive is a subjective change of decision, hence monitor use. So not mistaken identity.”
And head coach Thomas Tuchel has voiced his concerns around the refs as well, saying after the Mexico clash: “It’s not good enough
“He [the referee] can send any team out in any moment. It’s just not good enough.
“It’s just erratic, it’s just unreliable in matches. Now we have two fourth officials who just scream at you if you put one foot out of a coaching zone. It’s just not good enough.”
But for Switzerland, the manner of the loss incensed former Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and his team-mates.
An emotional Akanji said: “When you have the referee against you, it becomes difficult. Every little thing was called against us.
“Every dive and every foul by the Argentinians went unpunished. I don’t usually say anything against the officials, but I’ve never experienced such a one-sided game as today.
“As soon as the game was over, I thought: ‘I’m so proud of our team.’
“What we’ve achieved throughout the entire tournament, and especially today.
“We played against the world champions, and they didn’t stand a chance.
“I can’t recall a single scoring opportunity from open play where we were lucky.
“If the game had continued 11 against 11, it would have likely gone in our favour.”
This is not the first time refs have been singled out for decisions made appearing to help Argentina, with some claiming that they are being pushed towards another title.
Many felt Messi was lucky to avoid a red card in the group stage opener against Algeria when he stepped on Aissa Mandi’s leg half an hour in.
Messi went on to get a hat-trick and has starred for Argentina despite Folarin Balogun being sent off for a similar tackle in the USA’s last-32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina – although that was suspended thanks to Donald Trump.
And Akanji, now at Inter, was not the only Swiss player to feel let down.
Team-mate Remo Freuler said: “We had high hopes and put in a superb performance until the red card.
“That, of course, disrupted our flow. I still don’t understand how VAR can intervene in such a situation. Fifa needs to explain that to me.”
And boss Murat Yakin added: “After the equaliser, we clearly had the momentum on our side.
“Unfortunately, this was punished by a refereeing error. The referee shouldn’t have given the Argentinian a yellow card in that situation.
“There’s no reason for it; the incident wasn’t malicious or rough or anything like that.
“Then he corrects his own mistake and punishes us. That’s incomprehensible and beyond my comprehension.
“The decision is baffling to me, there was no reason for it. It’s a shame. We missed a great opportunity, and unfortunately, the journey is over.
“It hurts, but we can be proud. These are my great heroes.”
National captain Granit Xhaka also protested, saying: “The rules are the rules, we can’t change them.
“But with a decision like this, they’re killing football, that’s my opinion. I appeal to you: Don’t kill the game!”
This follows Egypt’s fury at being knocked out by Argentina in the last-16.
They lodged a formal complaint against Uefa ref Francois Letexier of France and pushed for him to be stripped of any remaining matches.
The African giants were fuming after having a goal disallowed in the second half when they were 1-0 up – although they would go on to make double the lead shortly after anyway.
And then the Pharaohs couldn’t believe it when Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage time winner was allowed to stand.
Egypt felt there had been a foul and a potential penalty at the other end moments before.
Manager Hossam Hassan said: “If they want Argentina to win this World Cup so badly why go to the bother of calling everyone else to come and play in it?”
The Egyptian FA added: “We cannot remain silent.
“Several key incidents raised serious concerns and left profound questions about the consistency and fairness of decisions that directly influenced the course of the game.
“Egyptian football has always respected the principles of fair play, sporting integrity, and respect for the game.
“These same principles require that all teams compete on equal terms and receive equal treatment.
“What occurred during the match has understandably generated widespread frustration among our players, staff and supporters about the serious refereeing mistakes and double standards.
“It is clear there were blatant errors with the VAR insisting on not reviewing some of the footage.
“We have demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire officiating team from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team.”
Goalscorer Mostafa Zico went on: “We were all upset. Everyone can see why.
“After I scored to make it 2-0 every decision went against us – every decision.
“I still can’t see why my other goal was ruled out.
“We never thought we had won the game, not when you are playing for the World Cup against the holders.
“We made some mistakes but we did not deserve to lose that way.”
And Hassan said the game had been “rigged.”
SOURCE: thesun